HE SAVED A CITY

One of those instances of silent, unconscious heroism, which makes the blood thrill and the eyes shine, was the work of Frank Horner, the Superintendent of the water works in saving the water supply of East St. Louis.

Had his presence of mind deserted him or his brave heart failed him, East St. Louis might and in all probability would have been a mass of smoldering ashes. A city split into kindling would have made a splendid feast for the fire fiend, but he was cheated of his booty by the clear head and iron nerve of Frank R. Horner, who never for an instant forgot his, duty.

The water works are situated in the north end of the island, about two miles from the big bridge. When the storm broke, the power house was felled as with the blow of an ax, and the great mass of debris came piling around the engine which supplied the city with water.

Frank Horner was there at the time, and, reckless of danger, he ran to his engines to see what damage bad been done. To his horror be found that the steam pipes were broken off by the falling bricks, and he knew what this meant.

East St. Louis lay two miles below him in ruins and at the mercy of the fire fiend. If he could not repair his engines the whole town would be wiped out.

Rushing into the street be fairly flew through the wires and broken telegraph poles, yelling with all his might.

"Fifteen dollars to every man who will work at the water works!"

He kept this up until he had a crowd at his heels and then he led them back to his battered and dismantled engines.

Throwing the ruins aside he got down to where the breaks were, and then he did something which risked the life of every man in the building, his own included.

If he could stop up the steam pipes all would be well, and sawing out four-inch plugs be ordered them driven into the gaping holes.

This done he crowded on ninety pounds of steam, and sent the welcome tide of the Mississippi water rushing through the mains to the city below just on the verge of a terrible conflagration.

It was a desperate thing to do, but it was justifiable, for it saved the city.

The dry white pine-plugs swelled with the water and held fast, and the next morning when Fire Chief Purdy heard the story and realized what this man bad done be threw his arms about his neck and said:

"By God, Frank, you've saved us all."